Shifting to a circular economy model of production and consumption that eliminates waste, lowers carbon emissions, and ensures a level of environmental resilience is a key part of achieving global goals around climate change, but such a transition needs to be driven by people who have the skills and knowledge to take it forward, according to environment sector experts.
The transition itself will also generate new jobs — 24 million according to the International Labour Organization — that individuals will need to be equipped for.
“If we don’t have the people to do the things that have to be done, to change our mindset, to move the paradigm from linear to circular, we’ll have the big theories there, but nothing will happen … so capacity will have to be built,” Letitia Abra-Kom Nyaaba, director of the Ghana National Cleaner Production Center, said at an event organized by EU Green Week. For her, any skill that promotes sustainability, reduces pollution, creates wealth, protects populations, conserves resources, and decreases materials could help in the transition.
About the author
Rebecca L. Root
Rebecca L. Root is a freelance reporter for Devex based in Bangkok. Previously senior associate & reporter, she produced news stories, video, and podcasts as well as partnership content. She has a background in finance, travel, and global development journalism and has written for a variety of publications while living and working in Bangkok, New York, London, and Barcelona.
